Gardening

20+ Rare Flowers Found Around The World

Source : facebook

The world of flora is vast and diverse, with countless species of flowers gracing our planet. Among these, some truly rare and unique specimens stand out due to their beauty, unusual characteristics, or limited habitats.

These botanical gems are deemed rare due to their restricted habitats, low population numbers, or specific growing conditions. Here are the 20+ rare flowers from around the world:

1. Middlemist's Red

  • Scientific name: Camellia japonica
  • Origin: China

The Middlemist's Red is a camellia variety renowned for its deep pink hue. It is considered the most rarest flower in the world and is found only in Treaty House Garden in New Zealand and Chiswick House & Gardens in the United Kingdom.

This flower is extremely valuable, with clippings fetching thousands of dollars. Historically, these clippings were sold for around £3,200 (approximately $4,400). Although growing Middlemist's Red is very challenging, it can be successfully propagated by cutting and placing it in water, with rooting usually occurring within 1-2 months.

2. Franklin Tree Flower

Source : facebook

  • Scientific name: Franklinia alatamaha
  • Origin: United States

As one of the most distinguished flowers rare in the botanical world, this flower is renowned for its striking white petals and vibrant yellow center, making it a standout among flowers.

By the early 19th century, the Franklin tree flower had become extinct in the wild. Its rarity is particularly noteworthy because it survives only through cultivation in botanical gardens and private collections.

The tree’s elegant, camellia-like flowers bloom in late summer to early fall, and its foliage turns a brilliant red in autumn, adding to its aesthetic appeal.

3. Ghost Orchid

  • Scientific name: Dendrophylax lindenii
  • Origin: Florida, USA, and Cuba

Another most rare flower on earth, the ghost orchid, is extremely rare, with only about 1,500 plants remaining in the wild in Florida and fewer than 500 in Cuba. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The flower has a ghostly appearance, with white petals and no foliage. It grows on tree trunks via aerial orchid roots, giving the appearance of being suspended in the air. It has a sweet fragrance that is only released at night, which attracts giant sphinx moths for pollination.

4. Jade Vine

Source : facebook

  • Scientific name: Strongylodon macrobotrys
  • Origin: Philippines

This rare flower is known for its extraordinary blooms that hang from the scrambling stems in long, pendant-like clusters. The Jade Vine produces large chains of turquoise flowers, over a foot in length, from late spring through early summer. The flowers are claw-shaped and have a shimmering greenish-blue color.

The vine is native to the tropical forests of the Philippines, where its habitat is under threat due to deforestation and habitat destruction. This limited geographic range contributes to its rarity.

5. Corpse Flower

  • Scientific name: Amorphophallus titanum
  • Origin: Sumatra, Indonesia

This beautiful, rare flower is known for its brief bloom period of only 2 to 4 days and its distinctive odor, reminiscent of rotting flesh, which gives it its name. These flowers can reach an impressive height of up to 10 feet and may sometimes never bloom at all.

The blooming process begins with the plant producing a large, pleated leaf, which can be mistaken for a small tree. This leaf can grow annually for up to a decade, storing energy in the underground corm. When the plant has accumulated enough energy, it will produce its spectacular bloom.

6. Chocolate Cosmos

Source : facebook

  • Scientific name: Cosmos atrosanguineus
  • Origin: Mexico

Extinct in the wild and only propagated through cloning, this flower is unique for its dark maroon color and a scent reminiscent of chocolate, adding to its rarity.

It is a perennial plant native to Mexico, but it has been extinct in the wild for over 100 years. The plant is known for its dark chocolate fragrance and reddish-brown to deep chocolate-colored flowers with a raised center. It is a rare and highly sought-after flower due to its unique fragrance and appearance.

7. Gibraltar Campion

  • Scientific name: Silene tomentosa
  • Origin: Gibraltar

The Gibraltar Campion is an exceedingly rare flower name native to the limestone cliffs of Gibraltar. This species is celebrated not only for its delicate beauty but also for its remarkable journey from presumed extinction to rediscovery.

It produces pale pink, five-petaled flowers that bloom in clusters atop slender stems. Each flower has a subtle fragrance and a delicate appearance, contrasting sharply with the rugged, rocky terrain it inhabits.

Historically, this plant faced severe threats to its survival, primarily due to habitat destruction and human encroachment on its limited geographic range.

8. Juliet Rose

Source : facebook

  • Scientific Name: Rosa ‘Juliet’
  • Origin: England, United Kingdom

A rare and unique variety of rose known for its glowing apricot color and strong, tea-like fragrance. It is considered the rarest and most expensive flower in the world due to its unique characteristics and the extensive effort that went into its cultivation.

It was bred by David Austin for over 15 years and took significant resources to grow. The flower's rarity is attributed to its specific growing conditions, which require a specific temperature range and humidity level. Additionally, the flower's fragrance is strong and tea-like, which makes it highly sought-after.

9. Youtan Poluo

  • Scientific name: Unknown (debated)
  • Origin: China

The Youtan poluo, also referred to as the udumbara flower, is a scarce blossom lacking a formal scientific designation. However, the tree it blossoms on, known as Ficus racemosa (also called Ficus glomerata), is recognized in Buddhism as the udumbara. The term "udumbara" originates from Sanskrit and signifies "an auspicious flower from heaven."

Youtan Poluo is a tiny, mysterious plant found in parts of China. What makes it incredibly rare and special is a legend that says it blooms once every 3,000 years. This plant produces minuscule white flowers that are barely visible to the naked eye.

The flower grows in remote and secluded areas, adding to its mystique and difficulty in finding.

10. Kadupul Flower

Source : facebook

  • Scientific name: Epiphyllum oxypetalum
  • Origin: Sri Lanka

The Kadupul Flower, native to Sri Lanka, is famously known as the "Queen of the Night" due to its exquisite rarity and delicate nature. It is considered one of the most expensive flowers globally because it blooms for only a few hours each year, exclusively at night, and fades away by dawn.

This ephemeral bloom occurs under highly specific conditions, adding to its mystique and allure. Renowned for its pleasant and calming fragrance, the flower holds cultural and spiritual significance in Sri Lanka, where it is believed to possess mystical powers, bringing luck and prosperity to those fortunate enough to witness its brief blossoming.

11. Tanzanian Mountain Rose

  • Scientific name: Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum
  • Origin: Tanzania

It is a unique and rare plant found in the mountainous regions of Tanzania. It is a type of succulent, highly prized for its striking pink flowers, which contrast beautifully with its thick, green stem.

The flowers typically bloom in clusters and can add a vibrant splash of color to the dry, rocky landscapes where they grow. It requires well-drained soil and a climate that mimics its natural environment, which is why it doesn't grow widely outside its native region.

12. Snowdonia Hawkweed

Source : inaturalist

  • Scientific name: Hieracium snowdoniense
  • Origin: Wales, UK

This rare flowers in world, with only a single known plant growing on a rocky, steep, and north-facing inaccessible mountain cliff in Snowdonia, Wales. This critically endangered species has historically been found growing at altitudes between 300 and 900 meters above sea level, making it difficult to reproduce and survive. 

The decline of this species may have been due to prolonged overgrazing by sheep, which find the plant palatable and can graze it to extinction. Additionally, acid rain may have caused soil acidification, further threatening the plant's survival. 

13. Red Silk Cotton Flower

  • Scientific name: Bombax ceiba
  • Origin: South Asia

Also known as the Bombax ceiba, it is a strikingly beautiful and rare tree renowned for its large, bright red flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves appear. These vibrant blossoms create a stunning display, making the tree easily recognizable.

The flower is rare due to deforestation and habitat loss, as its natural habitats are often cleared for agriculture and development. The tree is also valued for its wood and medicinal properties, adding to the pressure on its population.

14. Rafflesia Arnoldii

Source : facebook

  • Scientific name: Rafflesia arnoldii
  • Origin: Indonesia

This flower holds the title of producing the largest individual flower in the world, with blooms that can measure up to 3 feet in diameter and weigh up to 15 pounds.

It is most famous for its distinctive and unpleasant smell, reminiscent of rotting flesh. This odor is a key survival mechanism, attracting carrion flies and beetles that pollinate the flower. 

Unlike most plants, Rafflesia arnoldii does not have visible leaves, stems, or roots. It is a parasitic plant that relies entirely on a host vine, typically the Tetrastigma vine, for water and nutrients.

15. Attenborough’s Pitcher Plant

  • Scientific name: Nepenthes attenboroughii
  • Origin: Philippines

Named after Sir David Attenborough, this carnivorous plant is rare due to its limited location and the large pitcher traps used to catch prey. This plant is characterized by its large, bell-shaped pitchers that can reach up to 30 cm in diameter and 1.5 meters in height, making it one of the largest pitcher plants in the world.

The plant's pitchers are capable of capturing and digesting small animals, including rodents and insects, but it is rare for them to catch vertebrates. The plant's leaves are coriaceous and sessile, and it produces racemose inflorescences with red tepals.

16. Yellow and Purple Lady Slippers

Source : instagram

  • Scientific Name: Cypripedium calceolus
  • Origin: Europe and Asia

It is a perennial herb that needs specific conditions to grow, such as moist or slightly dry soil and partial shade, making it hard to cultivate and maintain. The flower also relies on a symbiotic relationship with the mycorrhiza fungus, which is difficult to replicate in greenhouses.

The plant's underground tuber supports new growth each season but is sensitive to environmental changes, making it challenging to transplant and maintain. Additionally, its unique shape, with pollens stacked at the end of the stamens, complicates the pollination process.

17. Black Bat Flower

  • Scientific name: Tacca chantrieri
  • Origin: Southeast Asia

It is a unique and rare plant native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, and southern China. Its most distinctive feature is its unusual flower, which resembles a bat in flight.

The flowers are deep purple to black and have long, whisker-like bracts that can extend up to 28 inches, enhancing their bat-like appearance.

The rarity of the Black Bat Flower stems from its specific growing requirements. It thrives in warm, humid environments with well-drained soil and indirect sunlight, conditions that are difficult to replicate outside its natural habitat.

18. Parrot's Beak

Source : instagram

  • Scientific name: Lotus berthelotii
  • Origin: Canary Islands

The name Parrot's Beak comes from the unique shape of its flowers, which resemble the curved beak of a parrot. These flowers are typically bright red or orange, adding a splash of vibrant color to the plant's silvery-green foliage.

The plant relies on specific bird species for pollination, and the decline in these bird populations has further impacted the plant's ability to reproduce naturally. Cultivating the plant outside its native habitat can be challenging due to its need for precise growing conditions and its sensitivity to environmental changes.

19. Blue Orchid

  • Scientific Name: Dendrobium
  • Origin: Southeast Asia

The blue orchid is a rare and exotic flower that is highly sought after for its unique color and beauty. While blue is a rare color in nature, blue orchids are not naturally occurring and are typically created through artificial dyeing or injection.

The most well-known blue orchid is the Vanda coerulea, also known as the Blue Vanda, which is native to northeastern India and is highly prized for its delicate, narrow-petaled flowers that stand on tall spikes.

Other naturally occurring blue orchids include the Boella coelestis, which is found in the Andes region of South America, and the Paphiopedilum, which is native to Southeast Asia.

20. Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid

Source : flickr

  • Scientific Name: Paphiopedilum rothschildianum
  • Geographic Origin: Mount Kinabalu on Borneo Island, Sabah, Malaysia

Also known as the Gold of Kinabalu orchid or Rothschild's slipper orchid, this flower is a large, clear-leafed orchid species. It features a tall flower spike with up to six large blossoms. This orchid is unique within the Corypetalum group because it holds its petals almost horizontally, giving it a distinct appearance.

It exclusively grows in the rainforests of Mount Kinabalu in northern Borneo. This rare flower can take up to 15 years to bloom. Due to its rarity, it is highly valued on the black market, sometimes selling for up to $5,000 per stem.

21. Fire Lily

  • Scientific name: Gloriosa superba
  • Origin: Africa and Asia

It is an exceptionally striking and rare flower known for its vivid, flame-like petals and unique growth pattern. Native to the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, this climbing plant can reach heights of up to 12 feet, using tendrils at the tips of its leaves to anchor itself to nearby structures.

The rarity of the fire lily is partly due to its specific growing requirements. It thrives in well-drained, sandy, or loamy soil and requires a warm, humid climate with plenty of sunlight. These conditions are typically found in its native tropical habitats, making it challenging to cultivate the fire lily in other regions.

22. White Hawaiian Hibiscus

Source : squarespace

  • Scientific Name: Hibiscus arnottianus
  • Geographic Origin: Moloka’i and O’ahu (Hawaii) rainforests and mountains

It is renowned for its large, pristine white petals and striking red or pink stamen, creating a beautiful contrast. It blooms year-round in its native environment, but its presence in the wild has significantly dwindled due to several factors.

One major reason for its rarity is habitat loss caused by human activities such as land development, agriculture, and the introduction of invasive species that compete for resources. Additionally, the White Hawaiian Hibiscus faces threats from pests and diseases that further impact its already limited populations.